South Indian Temple:
Chalukyas architecture: The rule of Chalukyas marks a great milestone in the history of south India (6th century), it is also called as the golden age of Karnataka. People were mostly interested in building temples; it has its own style of temple architecture known as Chalukyas architecture. They built a lot of rock cut cave temples of lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Mainly originated in Badami and Aihole and perfected in Pattadakalu and Mahakuta. Temples were not only place of worship but also centre of learning.
South Indian temple architecture, also known as Dravidian Style of architecture, architecture invariably employed for Hindu temples in Tamilnadu from the 7th to the 18th century, Temples with pyramid shaped towers, or kuṭina-type, tower. Variant forms are found in Karnataka (formerly present Mysore) and in Andhra Pradesh. The South Indian temple consists essentially of a square-chambered sanctuary topped by a superstructure, tower, or spire and an attached pillared porch or hall (mantapas), which always cover and precede the door leading to the cell. Gate-pyramids, Gopuras, which are the principal features in the quadrangular enclosures that surround the temples, Gopuras are beautifully decorated with sculpture and carvings and painted with avarity of themes derived from the Hindu mythology. Gopuras are very common in Dravidian style of architecture. Pillared halls (Chaultris or Chawadis) are used for many purposes and are the invariable accompaniments of the temples, they Usually have a tank called the Kalyani or Pushkarni.
Dravidians being very fine craftsman, temples were designed in a graceful and stylish manner and with great interest to display ornamentation and fine art that covered every part of the temple.